FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Important Information for Festival Newbies and Oldies !

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs

There are lots of questions you may be thinking of before coming to the Secret Widget Fest. Each festival is slightly different so even if you are a seasoned festival goer it is always adviseable to read the "small print"!!

Here are the most popular questions we are asked ……... If you have a question or a topic that is not covered here, then please contact us confidentially on info@thesecretwidgetfest.uk or publically via Facebook ...but please do NOT telephone as we will not be able to answer all calls

THE MUSIC

How long will each artist be performing for?

A: The length of each set will vary. Most of the artists will be playing up to 60 minutes with some headline acts playing for longer.

Provisional Timings

The campsite will be open from Friday 30th Augst at 11.00am until Monday 2nd September at 12.00 noon. * (Thusday 29 August at 12.00 noon for VIP's only) Timings are subject to change.

Entry to Arena

Music Starts

Music Stops

Arena Closes

Campsite Curfew

Friday 30th

12.00

15.20

22.30

23.30

Midnight

Saturday 31st

10.00

12.00

22.30

23.30

Midnight

Sunday 1st

10.00

12.00

22.30

23.30

Midnight

TICKETING

Q: If we book tickets in advance, can they be collected on the day?

A: Yes, but you may have to queue.

Q: Are my tickets refundable, if I am unable to attend on the day?

A: Tickets are non-refundable, non-returnable, and non-transferable. If having bought tickets you find you are unable to attend, you can return them to us, and if the festival is sold out, we will attempt to resell your tickets. If we are successful, we will refund your purchase at face value. The non-transferable rule is in place to help us stamp out organised touting.

Q: Do we still need to order a ticket for our children aged 10 and under even though they’re free of charge?

A: Children aged 10 and under are free of charge and do NOT need tickets, but must be ‘wristbanded’ on arrival at the Festival. Proof of age may be requested.

Q: When do I get my ticket

A: Your ticket is ready immediately after payment if you book online. YOU will print a paper ticket off as instructed and then you bring this to the festival to exchange for your wristbands

Q: Will we be able to purchase tickets on the gate?

A: Tickets will be available from the box office at the Entrance to car park Please see the ‘Tickets’ for more information.

Q: What do I get if I buy VIP tickets?

A: VIP tickets come with a great package of exclusive facilities to make your weekend at The Secret Widget Fest an event to remember. For full details of VIP facilities please click through on the VIP page of this website or contact info@thesecretwidgetfest.uk

Q: Security

A: Please expect bag searches and security in the car parks and at the gates for your safety and wellbeing.

We ask for your patience and cooperation, knowing that you will understand the reasons why we take the security of everybody at the festival very seriously.

ENJOYING THE FESTIVAL

Q: Can I bring a picnic?

A: Yes, but it must be consumed outside the arena – Food on offer from the festival’s traders is diverse and of the highest quality, so you will be well catered for. There should be something on offer for everyone, and you haven’t experienced the festival without trying some of the cuisine on offer!

Picnics are NOT allowed into the arena. Our stewards and security have been instructed to stop anything resembling a cooler box / picnic basket, even bag of food/drink into the arena – please do not attempt to get into the arena with these things. You will be asked to dispose of your picnics at the gate, or return with them to the car/tent/campervan.

No bottles, cans, containers, alcohol, food or furniture (with the exception of small deck chairs) may be brought into the arena. Any items found will be confiscated. Water and non-alcoholic drinks in plastic bottles with unbroken seals up to 500ml are permitted. Small amounts of food for babies or customers with specific dietary requirements may be brought in but this will be at the discretion of the Security Officer at the gate.

The use of refillable mugs and containers is becoming more widespread and The Secret Widget Fest endorses their use. More information will be poasted to the website in due course

Q: Can I bring alcohol into the arena?

A: NO. Only unopened plastic 500ml bottles containing water or soft drinks will be allowed into the arena. Absolutely no glass.

Q: I will be bringing my baby to The Secret Widget Fest and the food on offer will not be suitable, what do I do?

A: Baby food will be allowed into the arena, just please make sure it is in plastic containers.

Q: Will there be any covered areas if it rains?

A: There are a number of covered areas – the Clubhouse, VIP Marquee and the bars. Weather plays an important factor at festivals and further measures as deemed necessary, may be taken in the event of adverse conditions.

Q: Can I bring my dog to The Secret Widget Fest?

A: Dogs are allowed on site and owners are expected to keep them on a lead at ALL times when in the campsite and the Arena. Any “whoopsies” will need to be picked up and disposed of in an appropriate “dog poo bag”. Dogs are not allowed on any of the Polo Pitches

Q: Will I be able to re-enter the site if I leave during the day?

A: We hope you won’t want to, and we try to ensure you won’t need to. However, everyone entering the site will be issued with a wrist band and they will need to show this if they wish to leave and re-enter the site at any time.

Q: Will there be seating?

A: The festival is all standing

Q: Can we take our own chairs?

A: We encourage people not to bring chairs into the arena during the main acts as it can be a safety problem, and you wouldn’t be able to see much anyway! Anything that is deemed too ‘bulky’ will not be allowed into the arena so please consider this before packing (our lovely stewards and security team will ask you to return these items to your cars or campsites). Various bars and catering areas will have some seating available.

Q: Can we bring a wind break or sun tent into the arena?

A: NO – they are a huge risk to yours and other festival goers’ safety. In an emergency we would need to evacuate the arena as quickly and as safely as possible. Clambering over tents, wind breaks etc would hinder a fast exit and therefore put lives at risk. If you are concerned about protecting yourself or your children from the sun (should we be lucky enough to get some!), please make sure you bring plenty of sun cream and hats. Please consider this before packing as our lovely stewards and security team will ask you to return these items to your cars or campsites.

Q: Is there a central meeting point?

A: There is an information point at the Festival at the Stewards HQ, which you can use as a meeting point. You can also leave messages there for other festival-goers.

Q: Will there be ATMs at the festival?

A: No. The nearest ATMs to the site are in Cranleigh

Q: Is there phone charging available on site?

A: You will be able to charge your phone, safely and securely at the Box Office and Stewards/Security HQ for a small charge.

Q: Are there lockers on site?

A: No

DISABLED FACILITIES

Q: Will there be wheelchair access / disabled facilities?

A: We try to make the festival as accessible as possible to those with special needs. The disabled car park will be the closest car park to the arena, but please note that it is still a little way to parts of the festival. There is a wheelchair viewing platform for Stages 1 & 2 and there are disabled toilet facilities within the arenas and campsite. If you have particular needs, get in touch with us in advance. We’ll do our best to help.

Q: I am disabled and will be camping with my carer on the disabled campsite – do my family and friends have to camp on a different campsite to me?

A: You will be allowed a maximum of 3 people (including your carer) to camp with you, but you will need to notify the Festival Office when applying for your carer ticket. Any extra friends or family will need to camp elsewhere in the campsite.

Q: I am disabled and would like to bring my campervan – can I park my campervan in the disabled campsite or do I have to park it in the main campervan field?

A: You will be able to park your campervan in the disabled campsite, but you will still need to purchase a campervan permit.

CAMPING

Q: Can you camp for just one night?

A: Yes, but the standard camping permit charge still applies. If you are a camping permit holder, you can camp for one night, two or three. Go to the Camping section for more information. Camping is only available to full weekend ticket holders.

The campsite will be open from Friday 30th August 11.00am until Monday 2nd September at midday, and you can arrive and leave on whichever day you choose. The cost for camping is the same however many nights you stay for..

Q: Can I buy a day ticket and camp?

A: Yes. Please see above

Q: Will I be able to park my car next to my tent?

A: No. Unfortunately one of our licence conditions from Waverley Council, is that cars must be parked away from the tent camping areas.

Q: I have bought a VIP ticket with camping, does this mean there is a special VIP campsite?

A: NO. VIP tickets apply to the arena and VIP facilities only – there is not a VIP campsite. (Please see our Glampingsection of you wish to investigate this option) If you are a VIP ticket holder and are camping, you will be situated in the main campsite or campervan campsite – whichever you specified when booking your tickets. VIP ticket holders will however be able to enter the site on Thursday 30th August and choose you pitch (ie you get 4 days camping for the price of 3 and prime choice of space ! )

Q: If I want to bring my campervan, what kind of tickets do I need to purchase?

A: You will need to buy weekend with camping tickets for EACH person attending, plus a single campervan pass for your vehicle. Campervan pitch sizes are listed in the tickets area of this website and you will need to keep your vehicle and any tents/awnings within this space. If your vehicle’s measurements exceed this pitch size in any way or if your campervan/awning/tent goes beyond your pitch size, you will be asked to remove your campervan or take down your awning/tent. For more information regarding campervans, please see the Camping page or email info@thesecretwidgetfest.uk

Q: Can I bring my caravan or trailer tent to The Secret Widget Fest?

A: Yes, but you will need to purchase a campervan pass in addition to your weekend with camping tickets (as above) and comply with the rules regarding campervan permits and pitch sizes. For more information, please see the Camping page

Q: Will there be an electrical hook up for my campervan?

A: Yes - limited supply so will be allocated on a first come first served basis and MUST be booked in advance so we can allocate your space. Hookups are available for a one off charge of £30 bookable in advance using the website contact form and payable via the box office on arrival.

Q: My friends are Glamping – can I camp with them?

A: Unfortunately not – the Glamping area is specifically for people who have purchased one of the Glamping options only. It is prohibited to pitch a tent in the Glamping area.

Q: Can camping passes be purchased on arrival?

A: Camping passes will be available to purchase on the gate, provided that we have not sold out. If you would like to camp at The Secret Widget Fest, you are advised to buy in advance to avoid disappointment.

Q: Which ticket type do I need to buy if I am Glamping?

A: If you would like to Glamp, you will need to purchase a regular camping permit and then contact the Glamping company direct to book your accommodation. See the glamping section on this website or go direct www.festivalglamping.com A Glamping ticket does not include a festival ticket - Sorry !

Q: What is the latest time I can arrive at the campsite?

A: The gates to the campsite will be closed at 9pm on the Thursday night and absolutely no vehicles will be allowed through after 9pm that night. However, gates will reopened on Friday morning at 10.00am and the campsite can be accessed throughout the weekend

Q: Can I bring a BBQ or camping stove and use it on the campsite?

A: You may use a gas camping stove at lease 2 feet off the ground. No charcoal BBQs or open fires are permitted

If you intend to bring a camping stove please read the following safety guidelines:

All gas stoves must be raised off the ground by a stand or bricks. Never use a gas stove inside a tent, awning, caravan or vehicle.Stoves should be kept clear of all flammable materials. Leak check all hose joints on a gas BBQ with soapy water before use. Do not smoke, and extinguish all naked flames when changing gas containers. Always keep an extiguisher, bucket of water or sand handy.

OTHER

Q: I’m interested in being a trader at the The Secret Widget Fest Festival?

A: Visit our page for how to apply to be a trader at The Secret Widget Fest Festival, or complete the contact form on the website, or email keith@thesecretwidgetfest.uk

Please send details of what you intend to sell and the size of pitch you require (in metres) Your pitch size MUST include any equipment, tent or vehicles that need to be behind your stall.

Q: I’d like to volunteer to help at the The Secret Widget Fest Festival?